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11 MUSTANGS SELECTED TO ECFC ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS
11 Mount Ida College football players have been recognized with Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) All-Conference honors in their respective positions for the 2010 season.
Three Mount Ida College players were recognized with first team all-conference for offense. Junior CDS pre-season All-American running back Johrone Bunch (Meriden, CT/F.T. Maloney), whose year was cut short due to a season ending injury, was honored with his second consecutive first team selection. Last season Bunch was named ECFC's offensive player-of-the-year leading the nation for Division III in rushing (1,614). Bunch, who was halted in week six of action during the beginning of an ECFC match-up at Gallaudet University, racked up 823 total yards and 13 touchdowns on 135 total carries. He still leads the conference in rushing due to his amazing 137.2 yards a game and conference leading 13 touchdowns. Bunch scored a program record six touchdowns in a 41-6 ECFC victory over visiting Becker College back on October 9th. He was honored with the Boston Globe's Gold Helmet award for the performance over the Hawks on October 13th scoring six touchdowns eclipsing 216 total yards rushing in the contest.
Mount Ida football junior wide receiver Nick Lynch (Hampton Bays, NY/Hampton Bays) was honored with an offensive first team all-conference selection. This is also Lynch's second consecutive season receiving this award. Lynch became the first receiver in Mount Ida College football history to eclipse 1,000 yards (1,072) for a season hauling in 12 touchdown catches in the process. He also captured the record for receptions in a game (7.36). Lynch tied the record for most touchdown catches (4) in a contest against Anna Maria College back on November 6th and also snatched the record for passes caught in a game (13) against Springfield College in the North Atlantic Bowl on November 20th. He received ECFC offensive player-of-the-week honors once back on November 6th. Lynch hauled in seven catches for 128 yards and four touchdowns en route to a 69-18 ECFC romping over visiting Anna Maria College. Lynch had a career day breaking the record for receptions in a season during the contest. He was second overall in the conference in receiving averaging 14.4 yards a catch. He was 25th in the country for Division III in receptions per game and 30th for reception yards per game. Lynch was also selected to the New England Football Writers Division II/III All-Stars as one of the top three receivers in the region.
Mount Ida College junior offensive tackle Erik Matos (West Haven, CT/West Haven) was honored with an Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) offensive first team all-conference selection. This was Matos' first time being honored for this award. Matos, and their entire Mount Ida offensive line, only surrendered nine total sacks to Mustang quarterback and second team all-conference selection Scott Drosendahl. Matos started in every contest for the Mustangs this season. Matos and the offensive line landed 30th in the nation for NCAA Division III in tackles for a loss allowed (44.5).
Two Mount Ida College players were recognized with first team all-conference for defense. Mount Ida sophomore defensive end A.J. Knibbs (Spotswood, NJ/Spotswood) was honored with an Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) defensive first team all-conference selection leading the defensive charge for the Mustangs. This is the first time Knibbs has been honored with this award in his career. Knibbs set the season record for sacks notching a conference leading 12.5 for the year after making the switch to the defensive line from safety as a freshman. Knibbs was fourth on the team in tackles with 50 total and 42 solo. Along with his 12.5 sacks, he recorded 15.0 tackles for a loss, three pass break-ups, four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and eight quarterback hurries (all-time Mount Ida season record). Career wise, Knibbs is third overall in sacks (12.5) and fourth all-time in forced fumbles (4). Knibbs also owns the record for most fumbles forced in a game (2) against Hartwick College back on November 13th. He was named ECFC defensive player-of-the-week back on September 20th for his performance against Norwich University in a 22-21 ECFC victory adding five solo tackles, a big sack, two pass break ups, and two quarterback hurries. On third and 11 with under a minute to go in the contest leading by one with the Cadets marching on the final drive, Knibbs sacked Norwich sophomore quarterback Kris Sabourin for a loss bringing up fourth down at the 50 yard line. A Hail Mary pass ensued that was ultimately batted down for the end of the game and the Mustangs first ever win over the Cadets in their 11 year history. He was also selected to the New England Football Writers Division II/III All-Stars as one of the top five defensive linemen in the region.
Mount Ida College senior safety Julien Baptiste (Greenlawn, NY/Elwood-John Glenn) was honored with an Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) defensive first team all-conference selection. This is second time Baptiste has been recognized as a first team player in the ECFC selected in 2009 as well. Baptiste was third overall in tackles with 50.5 total and 41 solo adding three interceptions and five pass break-ups for the season. Baptiste tied the record for interceptions (8) in a career on senior day in a 69-18 ECFC victory over visiting Anna Maria College picking off two, including one that went back for a touchdown from 63 yards out. Baptiste is sixth all-time in unassisted tackle for his career with 114.
Two Mount Ida College players were recognized with second team all-conference for offense. Mount Ida sophomore quarterback Scott Drosendahl (East Aurora, NY/East Aurora) was honored with an Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) offensive second team all-conference selection. This was Drosendahl's first ever honor to the ECFC all-conference team. Drosendahl had the most successful season of his career throwing a program best 23 touchdown passes for 2,535 yards with 197 completions on 327 attempts. Along with breaking numerous season records, Drosendahl broke three individual game records during the same contest (v. Springfield College, North Atlantic Bowl) for most passes attempted (57), most passes completed (34), and most passing yards (373). Drosendahl ranked second in passing in the ECFC statistical standings recording 210.2 yards a game through the air as well as a 60.5 completion percentage. He was selected as ECFC offensive player-of-the-week back on October 18th when he went 22-34 passing for 288 yards with an eight yard touchdown strike to Michael Cloutier and one pick in a 22-16 ECFC win over Gallaudet University. With four minutes remaining in the game Drosendahl scored on an eight yard quarterback keeper to give the Mustangs the ECFC victory over the Bison. The sophomore led a comeback down 16-8 after the exit of standout running back Johrone Bunch.
Mount Ida College senior running back Paul Shaughnessy (Malden, MA/Northeast Metro) was honored with an Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) offensive second team all-conference selection. This is the first time Shaughnessy has received recognition as an all-conference player in the ECFC. Shaughnessy, who became one of the most versatile players in Mount Ida football history, finished his final season with the Mustangs with a combined 13 touchdowns (six rushing, seven receiving) filling in for an injured Johrone Bunch after week six. On the ground, Shaughnessy racked up 857 yards on 154 carries for the season. Through the air, Shaughnessy was also impressive with 663 yards on 50 catches. He was ranked fifth in the conference in rushing averaging 81.3 yards a game and 6.1 yards a carry. He eclipsed 100 yards four times rushing and 200 once throughout the season. Shaughnessy is ranked fourth all-time in rushing yards (1362) in his four year career as a Mustang. He was named the ECFC offensive player-of-the-week back on November 1st when he ran for 261 yards and three touchdowns also adding one catch for 13 yards and a touchdown en route to a 25-23 ECFC victory over hosting Husson University in week eight.
Three Mount Ida College players were recognized with second team all-conference for defense. Mount Ida College freshman Jon Proto (North Haven, CT/North Haven) was honored with an Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) defensive second team all-conference selection. Proto was magnificent in the defensive tackle position the entire season especially as a first year with player. Proto was second overall behind Knibbs in sacks with 6.5 adding 46 total tackles for the season (41 solo, 10 assist) good for fifth overall on the team and fourth all-time in the season books. He also added two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and two quarterback hurries. His 3.5 tackles for a loss against Gallaudet University back on October 16th is an all-time game record in the Mount Ida books.
Mount Ida College sophomore linebacker Michael Brockenberry (West Haven, CT/West Haven) was honored with an Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) defensive second team all-conference selection. This is the first time Brockenberry has received recognition from the ECFC for all-conference honors. Brockenberry was second overall in tackles for the season (61.5, 57 solo, nine assists) including five sacks (third overall), an interception, a fumble recovery, and a blocked kick. He was named the defensive player-of-the-week back on November 1st for his performance recording 7.5 tackles, 3.0 sacks for a loss of 20 yards, and an interception in a 25-23 Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) victory over hosting Husson University.
Mount Ida College freshman linebacker E.J. Murray (New Haven, CT/Wilbur L. Cross) was honored with an Eastern Collegiate Football (ECFC) defensive second team all-conference selection. Along with Proto, Murray showcased impressive talent in the linebacker position throughout the entire season as freshman leading the Mustangs with 64.5 total tackles (55 solo, 19 assist). Murray added 5.5 tackles for a loss, two quarterback hurries, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and a blocked kick. Two of his three fumble recoveries were ran back for six points, one against Castleton State back on October 2 and the other against visiting Anna Maria College on November 6th. Murray was ranked eighth overall in the ECFC for tackles as well.
Mount Ida College senior safety and Captain Shane Gardner (Sunrise, FL/Northeast) received an honorable mention.
ECFC ALL-CONFERENCE RELEASE HERE
